Media practitioners must diligently work towards a free, impartial and responsible media industry, which “focuses on truth and fosters peace” in South Sudan, the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC) has said. 

Speaking at a forum convened in Juba to mark this year’s World Radio Day on Wednesday, RJMEC Chief of Staff Ambassador Berhanu Kebede said the media should “fully realize the objective of ensuring sustainable peace as well as economic growth and development in South Sudan.” 

The forum, themed “Dialogue, Tolerance and Peace”, brought together representatives of radio stations and journalists in the country. The day is marked annually on 13 February. 

“Among the major media outlets, radio has an important role to play in promoting confidence and peace building because of its wide reach and the diverse languages that programming is broadcast in,” Ambassador Kebede said. 

“Radio as a medium provides a wider platform for people to solve problems and challenges that affect their livelihood. Discussions conducted in this manner provide a sense of belonging, dignity, and achievement,” he added.

Ambassador Kebede urged members of the media to be a “pillar in the process of building sustainable peace” by “increasing knowledge and awareness of public affairs, and in particular, the peace process.”

“By creating and broadcasting peace-themed radio programming, radio stations are able to ensure that as many members of the community as possible can contribute to the discussion,” he said. 

Regarding the implementation of Agreement, the Chief of Staff said there has been willingness among the Parties to engage in dialogue, who have shown commitment to implement the Revitalized Peace Agreement. 

“We must work together to ensure that confidence and peace building efforts bear more fruit and that the people of South Sudan feel part of the process.”